Criminal Minds actor marched off set, suspended

Criminal Minds star Thomas Gibson has been marched off set and suspended from his hit TV show for assaulting a writer.

Gibson, 54, was directing and acting in a scene just a few weeks ago when he got in a dispute with a writer, according to TMZ.

"Gibson exploded in anger, kicking the writer in the leg," it reported.

Having been hurt in the incident, the writer continued to persue the matter, which lead the network to suspend Gibson, who had already been on set for two weeks.

TMZ spoke to Gibson who says while he was sorry for the assault, it was in "retaliation" after the writer became "aggressive".

"There were creative differences on the set and a disagreement. I regret that it occurred. We all want to work together as a team to make the best show possible. We always have and always will," he said.

Gibson plays Aaron Hotchner in Criminal Minds but is best known for playing Daniel Nyland in Chicago Hope and Dharma & Greg'sGreg Montgomery.